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Bai Kula Watermelon Antioxidant Beverage, Kula Watermelon
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Waters

Bai Kula Watermelon Antioxidant Beverage, Kula Watermelon

18 fl oz/530 mL

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains sugar alcohols
  • Contains caffeine
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 64

Bai Kula Watermelon Antioxidant Beverage, Kula Watermelon scores 64 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  2. Erythritol: A 2023 study linked higher blood erythritol to cardiovascular events and found it increased clotting activity; long-term safety studies are warranted. Strong
  3. 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring, non-nutritive sweetener and sugar alcohol (polyol). Emerging

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better flavored and vitamin water

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Kula Watermelon Antioxidant Beverage, Kula Watermelon

START100

Ingredients

  • Erythritol
    Strong A 2023 study linked higher blood erythritol to cardiovascular events and found it increased clotting activity; long-term safety studies are warranted. [1][2]
  • Stevia (steviol glycosides)
    Emerging WHO (2023) recommends against using non-sugar sweeteners to control body weight (conditional recommendation); US dietary guidelines advise limiting them. [3][4]
  • Natural flavors
    Info "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. [5][6]
subtotal−12.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [6]
  • 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring, non-nutritive sweetener and sugar alcohol (polyol). [6]
subtotal−22.5

Nutrition per 100 ml

  • Energy 2 kcal / 100 ml
    Info Energy-dense for its volume. [4]
subtotal−1
TOTAL 64Good

100 − 36 = 64

GTIN 00813694023428 · 2026-03-18

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 ml

Energy2 kcal
Fat0 g
Saturated fat0 g
Carbohydrates2.5 g
Sugars0.2 g
Added sugars0 g
Protein0 g
Salt0.1 g

Serving: 530.0ml

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

Filtered water, bai proprietary sweetener blend (erythritol, stevia leaf extract), natural flavors, citric acid, watermelon juice concentrate, vegetable juice (for color), coffeefruit extract, white tea extract, malic acid, vitamin c (ascorbic acid), sodium citrate.

Allergens and diets

  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Packaging

Pet 1 polyethylene terephthalate

Context only: no points in v1.

Healthiest waters in the US

More from Bai

Sources

  1. The artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular event risk

    Nature Medicine · March 2023 · Peer-reviewed

    “Our findings reveal that erythritol is both associated with incident MACE risk and fosters enhanced thrombosis. Studies assessing the long-term safety of erythritol are warranted.”

    doi.org

  2. Re-evaluation of erythritol (E 968) as a food additive (plain language summary)

    European Food Safety Authority · Dec 20, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “In all groups of people, both acute and chronic exposure to erythritol is above the newly set ADI.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  3. WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline

    World Health Organization · May 15, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”

    who.int

  4. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  5. 21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 19, 2016 · Law

    “whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

    ecfr.gov

  6. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  7. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”

    doi.org

  8. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  9. Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 2.4 (foods with more than 10 % added polyols)

    European Union (Official Journal) · Oct 25, 2011 · Law

    “‘excessive consumption may produce laxative effects’.”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  10. 21 CFR 184.1835 Sorbitol

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Nov 22, 2016 · Law

    ““Excess consumption may have a laxative effect.””

    ecfr.gov

  11. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Regulator

    “For most adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams* a day — that's about two to three 12-fluid-ounce cups of coffee — as an amount not generally associated with negative effects.”

    fda.gov

  12. Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 4.1 (beverages with high caffeine content)

    European Union (Official Journal) · Oct 25, 2011 · Law

    “‘High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women’”

    eur-lex.europa.eu